Tag Archives: bedbugs

Deoxyribonucleic acid, otherwise known as DNA, contains the genetic makeup for all living things. DNA contains codes that provide specific information at the cellular level. DNA codes are analyzed for a variety of different reasons. It is commonly used for testing genetics, diseases and for solving different types of crimes. DNA is also used for anthropology, archeology and paleontology.

Toby Fountain, a biologist from the University of Sheffield in England, is gathering information in hopes of tracking down the origins of the bloodsuckers in the “great bed bug boom”, which was first documented just after the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

The practicality of knowing the specific DNA of bed bugs is that eventually the bed bugs DNA will be able to reveal exactly where it has come from. If pest control professionals keep a record (sample) when they provide services, they will be able to know if the entire colony has been properly eradicated if more bed bugs surface at the same location. Bed bugs that are picked up from a hotel will also have the potential of being specifically identified.

In addition to gathering specimens in London, which is considered to be a “bed bug hotspot”, Mr. Fountain is also collecting bed bugs from international destinations. Kenya is a prime bed bug collection site as bed bugs have always been a pest that people live with in Kenya. Finding a genetic link to any collected bed bugs in Kenya would explain the global bed bug resurgence of 2000.

Many people who happen to become infested with bed bugs tend to isolate themselves from family and friends as they are fearful that they may transmit the horrible creatures to other people’s homes. It is not uncommon for those who are suffering through an infestation to have relationship problems and difficulty at work as well. Many people feel shame and embarrassment when they discover that the tiny bloodsucking bugs have invaded their living space.

Bed bug infestations are commonly associated with a lack of sleep as people are often fearful of the nighttime attacks of the little vampires. Stress from having to deal with the financial costs of eradicating the pests, living out of plastic bags, potentially losing belongings, dealing with the constant itching and irritation, and the constant cleaning associated with bed bug infestations can make a person feel like they are going nuts. Some people even report the feeling of bed bugs crawling on their body long after the bugs are dead and gone!

Everyone should know that all of these feelings and reactions to a bed bug infestation are completely normal. Despite what some people believe, bed bugs are not attracted to filth, nor do they transmit disease. Bed bugs are hitchhikers which can be picked up anyplace that people frequent. Even the cleanest home or the most expensive hotel may indeed have these bloodsucking pests lurking about and ready to hitch a ride to a new home.

College students are now returning home in droves anxious to begin their summer vacation. Some will travel to places near and far. Some have new jobs awaiting their arrival back home. In the excitement of their return home, it’s easy to forget that your college student may not be arriving home alone. Many pest control professionals in Ocean County, NJ are reporting that panicked New Jersey parents are calling asking for help with a new unwanted houseguest that hitched a ride home with their inbound college student this month. Living in close quarters with a multitude of people is one way that bed bugs can be transported. It is anticipated that approximately 50 percent of people suffer the allergic reaction that is associated with bed bug bites so it is easy to see how pesky bed bugs can hitch a ride back home from college.

Here are some steps that a concerned parent should take to avoid letting bed bugs into their home…

Scrutinize every article that is returning home with your child. Bed bugs are masters at hiding in all types of material, especially cracks and crevices.

Launder every piece of clothing, bedding, etc. in hot water and dry on high heat. Bed bugs or their eggs cannot withstand the heat and will die in about 20 minutes.

Items that cannot be laundered can be placed in a plastic bag in the freezer for two weeks to kill bed bugs and their eggs (no electronics).

If you see bed bugs or signs of bed bugs, immediately call a pest control expert in Ocean County, NJ to eradicate the pests.

During the winter months it’s easy to believe that our homes are pest free. The winter months are only a brief reprieve from most home invading pests. As the spring arrives, so do a multitude of annoying and dangerous home and property invaders. It is no surprise that the warmer winter weather has sparked an early spring arrival. Pest control professionals in Monmouth County, NJ expect termites to swarm earlier than usual, and ant, tick, mosquito and rodent populations to be in abundance.

PRWeb reported on April 26, 2012 that a study was recently completed by the third largest residential pest control company in the United States. The survey consisted of 1319 respondents across the US, all of which owned homes. The goal of the study was to “uncover the current trends and beliefs related to pests and pest control.”

The study revealed that one in four homeowners are worried about termite infestations, and 13% of homeowners across the United States reported seeking treatment for termites in the past 12 months. Close to 22% of the respondents claimed to have experienced structural damage to their homes as a result of a pest problem.

The national study revealed that 80% of homeowners are most concerned about termites, bed bugs, cockroaches, rats, and mice. A pest control expert in Monmouth County, NJ can help keep your home pest free this spring and summer season by protecting the perimeter of your property. Our trained technicians will use their extensive expertise to keep all types of household pests out for a more comfortable and safe living environment for your family and pets.

Another area where bed bugs like to hide is in the cracks and crevices of the metal frame of the bed. Bed bugs are so small that they can easily hide in the space the size of a screw hole.

The headboard is often a hotspot of bed bug activity once there is an infestation present. Bed bugs like to hide in areas that are not disturbed often. In hotels and motels, headboards are often bolted to the wall which makes it very difficult to look for bed bugs that may be hiding. The best way to look for bed bugs would be to shine a flashlight on the sides and from the top. Look for fecal matter, blood spots, shed skins, eggs, or live or dead bed bugs.

My personal experience in checking a hotel for bed bugs yielded a surprising result. I did not find any actual bed bugs initially, nor any shed skins in the bed or any other location in the entire room. While inspecting the bed, I did find in one small area of the seam some small black flecks that looked like cookie crumbs. I promptly grabbed my tweezers and gently ran them along the stitching in the area where the black debris was located. To my surprise, out popped 5 live bed bugs from inside of the mattress! The bed bugs that I removed varied in size and all were engorged which meant that they had recently received a blood meal.

Bed bugs are so resourceful that even that space, as small as the size of the stitching on the mattress, proved to be ample size for the bed bugs to enter the interior of the mattress. Any defect or tear in a mattress opens the door for easy access for bed bugs to hide and breed, and have access to their favorite meal…you!

Many people are quick to decide to throw away their mattress and box spring once bed bugs are discovered in their home. The current recommendations from the National Pest Management Association state that furniture can be salvaged with proper treatment by a licensed pest control professional. NJ pest control professionals recommend vacuuming the mattress and box spring, and then using a bite proof encasement which will seal any bed bugs inside, depriving them of a blood meal. Eventually they will die and your mattress will be salvaged.

New Jersey pest control professionals are often asked many questions from panicked customers who have awoken with strange bite marks on their body. It’s important to remember that not all bites are the result of a bed bug infestation. Other creatures that can leave bite marks on your body include:

• Mosquitos

• Ticks

• Fleas

• Biting Flies

• Spiders (usually an accidental occurrence)

• Gnats

• Bat Bugs

• No-See-Ums

• Mites (not visible to the naked eye)

• Cockroaches (yes, they have even been known to take a bite or two, especially on a sleeping child!)

One of the most common questions that is asked is…”Do bed bugs live ON a mattress or IN a mattress?” The only way to know for certain (hopefully) is to perform a thorough check for the creepy bloodsuckers. Here’s what you do…

The most likely places that bed bugs will be hiding on a mattress are the seam area of the mattress. Look on top and under the seamed area carefully checking around the entire mattress, both top and bottom.

Another place where bed bugs like to hang out is under the patch or logo area that is sewn onto the mattress. Because of their small size, they can easily slip between the stitching and enjoy a safe hiding place.

Once you are finished inspecting the mattress, it’s time to check for bed bugs in the box spring. Box springs have multiple places that provide excellent places for bed bug harborage.

Just like with the mattress, check the entire seamed area of the box spring. Then lift the box spring up to expose the bottom. If there is a fabric covering, it’s a good idea to remove it for easy inspection and detection of bed bugs. Thoroughly check the entire wood structure of the box spring for any evidence of bed bugs or their eggs.